James O. Norwood, son of Henry O. Norwood and Johnnie Elizabeth Rhea (Bess) Norwood, was born at home along with his twin sister, Mary Alice, on December 14, 1924, in Greenville, Texas. After a period of declining health, James passed peacefully while being tended to by family members on Saturday, October 1, 2011 from his earthly home, 4600 Ocean Drive, Corpus Christi, Texas to his new heavenly home. He was 86 years of age.
Birth of the twins changed the status of only-child Lila Rhea, and the later birth of Marcus Howard completed a quartet of active, much-loved children schooled on the values of ethics and education. James personified the best of family goals by earning the respect of all who knew him and devoting most of his life to helping others. Mark aptly evaluated James’s life as one of “total unselfishness.” Always quick with a witty remark, James kept people laughing and happy till the day he died.
James graduated from Greenville High School with good grades, honors in the school band, and an amazing ability in woodworking through Industrial Education courses.
With a B.A. and Masters Degree in Agriculture from East Texas State in Commerce, Texas, James tested his degrees by helping his father manage a farm near Greenville and later managing family land in West Texas.
Interested in changing careers, James joined his sister Lila Clark and her family in Schulenburg, Texas, where he taught math and science at Schulenburg High School. He was recognized as an excellent teacher and was popular with the students by helping them build sets and lighting equipment for the school’s active drama program. James also taught high school in Stinnett, Texas and Hermleigh, Texas and served time as the Principal and school bus driver.
Deciding to further his education, James moved to Austin where he received a Masters Degree in Mathematics from the University of Texas. His outstanding grades resulted in a job teaching undergraduate math courses at UT and ultimately as a math professor and head of the Math Department at Weatherford College in Weatherford, Texas, where he taught 22 years until his retirement in 1982. Many students are forever touched by his outstanding teaching ability.
When the need arose, James moved his parents to Weatherford where his ailing father died in 1970. After his retirement, James and his mother moved to Corpus Christi to be near his twin Mary Alice, her husband Albert Harris, and their daughter, Amy Harris Jones and family. His mother Bess died in 2005 at the age of 105, his twin Mary Alice in 2006, and his younger brother Mark in 2010. James was loyal to his family to the end.
A devout Christian, James was a lifelong member of the Methodist Church with his most recent membership at First United Methodist Church in Corpus Christi, Texas. He enjoyed serving at the South Texas Food Bank Food Pantry, helping prepare for Vacation Bible School, the Children’s Bargain Basement Sale and the Annual UMW Nut Sale.
He is survived by his sister, Lila Rhea Norwood Clark of Schulenburg, Texas, his brother-in-law and sister-in law, Albert and Bobby Harris of Corpus Christi, Texas, his sister-in-law, Carolyn Norwood of Austin, Texas, his cousins Jim Norwood (Marsha) of Weatherford, Texas and Laurinda Norwood of Bulverde, Texas. He is also survived by six nieces and nephews and five of their spouses as well as sixteen great-nieces and nephews and spouses and five great-great nieces and nephews.
Visitation will begin at 2 p. m. on Saturday, October 8, 2011 at Coker-Mathews Funeral Home in Greenville, Texas followed by a graveside service at 4 p.m. at Forest Park Cemetery with his great nephew, Roger Jones, officiating.
Pall Bearers are John Harris, Stephen Norwood, David Norwood, Christopher Jones, Jason Jones and John David Norwood. Honorary Pall Bearers are Albert Harris, Larry Jones and Kenneth McKay.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the “James Norwood Memorial Scholarship Fund” for deserving math students at Weatherford College or a charity of choice. Checks to the scholarship fund may be made payable to the W. C. Foundation with “James Norwood Memorial Scholarship” written in the memo line. Any such gifts can be mailed to Weatherford College Foundation, 225 College Park Drive, Weatherford, Texas 76086.
